Testing in Ottawa now open to anyone with COVID-19 symptoms

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) now says anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 can and should get tested for the respiratory illness.

Previously, only groups including essential workers or those with existing health conditions were eligible for testing. OPH later expanded testing criteria to include those over 60 with symptoms.

"This week we're moving further," medical officer of healthVera Etchestold councillors Wednesday morning. "People who have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, will be assessed."

Now, anyone experiencing symptoms can get tested at one of the city'sthree sites: Brewer Arena in Old Ottawa South, 595 Moodie Dr. and 1485 Heron Rd., where more than 17,500 residents have already been tested.

The sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. The Brewer Arena site is also open weekends. You don't need an appointment.

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from the common (cough, fever, sore throat or sneezing) to the less common (headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of taste or smell).

Anyone in serious medical trouble should call 911 or go to an emergency room.

On Wednesday, OPH reported 15 new cases and four new deaths from COVID-19. So far during the pandemic, 182 people have died from the virus in Ottawa, most in long-term care or retirement homes, while 1,707people have tested positive.

The vast majority of those positive cases,1,245 peopleor 73 per cent, have recovered.

Etches announced on May 1 thatcommunity transmission of the virus hadpeakedin the city, and modelling suggests it's unlikely to spike again as long as residents continue physical distancing.

Wear masks, Etches advises

In her update to council Wednesday morning, Etches also confirmed case counts, deaths and outbreaks in institutions are finally decreasing. As well, hospitalizations including admissions to ICU are stable.

These are all good signs that physical distancing is working, and that some pandemic-relatedrestrictions could be lifted soon, Etches said.

But as businesses and services gradually reopen, physical distancing could become more challenging, so Etchesis encouraging the public to wear non-medical masks more regularly.

"This is something we want to encourage," Etches told councillors. "It's the counterbalance to the risk that increases as we increase our interactions. We push back down on the level of infection the more we continue to maintain our distance and use [masks]."